Move Over Hollywood, Norristown PA Slated to Be Next Film MeccaDeveloper and Industry Veterans Unveil Plans for 280,000 Sq Ft. Sound Stage Complex in PA

Tuesday, August 7, 2007, Norristown, PA - Move over Hollywood, Norristown, Pa will soon be home to one of America’s newest and largest film production studios according to plans unveiled today by a local real estate developer and film industry veterans.

Their 280,000 square-foot Logan Square Studios Complex will be a world-class film production facility with eight state-of-the-art sound stages and complete post-production facilities all designed to attract major motion picture productions as well as independent films and television productions. The group plans to break ground in October of 2007.

“This is a major breakthrough for Pennsylvania and for the east-coast film industry,” says Jeffrey D. Erb of Feverpitch Pictures, a film industry veteran who has teamed up with film producer Kelly Wolfington and Develcom, a regional real estate development company, to launch what he believes will be one of the most complete and most capable studio facility east of the Mississippi.

“When you combine the size and sophistication of our new facilities with Pennsylvania’s aggressive new economic incentives for film productions, this should become one of the best places in America to film,” Wolfington said. The development is a direct response to Pennsylvania’s new economic incentive package designed to make Pennsylvania the most economically attractive state for film production. Incentives include direct rebates to production companies for their expenditures in Pennsylvania.

Until now, major film productions needed to go to New York or to California to find soundstages large enough and sophisticated enough to accommodate their needs. But Logan Square Studios plans to change all of that.

Logan Square Studio Complex has been designed with eight sound stages ranging from 2,000 square feet to 30,000 square feet totaling 100,000 square feet, column free 40’ clear height under grid, drive thru elephant doors, it will be built to accommodate film, high definition television and digital camera productions. In addition there will be 180,000 square feet of support space to include: production offices, dressing rooms, screening rooms, green room, water tank, catering services, lighting and grip equipment, mill shop, post-production facilities, event space, state-of-the-art internet broadcasting facilities, and a state of the art vocational school which will be used by local universities to train film/television and media students.

The twenty five acre site will provide an abundance of on site parking, security all within the private enclave and access to major roadways, airport and a helipad to shuttle stars to and from the studios. Most importantly, Logan Square Studios is designed as an East coast facility, with its production and support spaces attached to the sound stages to accommodate for the changing weather patterns. The site boast of additional amenities such as a new hotel and restaurants to service approximately 800 actors, directors, and production staff that will work at Logan Square Studios when the facility is at full production.

Logan Square Studios is currently in talks with prominent studios, producers, and talent agencies regarding major upcoming projects and partnerships. The studio will have a major impact on local, regional and statewide economies. The employment opportunity that the studio will create is paramount. Hundreds of high quality good paying jobs will be created for Montgomery County and especially Norristown residents. The Studio will provide long term quality employment and will advance and sustain Norristown’s revitalization efforts. The Greater Philadelphia Film Office estimates building this type of facility in Pennsylvania will create an economic ripple effect to the region generating an estimated half a billion dollars in new commerce.

Interestingly, Norristown was also the site of America’s first sound stage at Lubin Studios.